Global packaging and paper manufacturer Mondi has partnered with Adelaide Brighton Cement and Pope Packaging to develop a new water-resistant paper bag called Rain Barrier.
The new bag is made from Mondi’s Advantage Protect White sack kraft paper. It has a water-repellant surface and maintains a high tensile strength in a wet environment.
While a standard paper bag absorbs water, the Rain Barrier bag keeps water from seeping in, as it stays on the surface where it evaporates. The paper itself is rain-resistant for up to six hours and can resist water ingress for up to five full days when stored in damp conditions.
Adelaide Brighton Cement – a producer of cement, hydrated lime, and packaged products – is the first business in Australia to market the new product.
The business is in the process of converting all its cement and hydrated lime paper bags to Rain Barrier bags.
Adelaide Brighton Cement national packaged products manager Tara Gracie said the company was pleased to be partnering with Pope Packaging and Mondi to launch the packaging solution.
“This partnership has allowed us to provide our customers and end users with additional value and packaging improvements, that help reduce common industry issues like damaged product and waste due to moisture ingress,” Gracie said.
Pope Packaging general manager for papersacks Matthew Sullivan said water damage to bagged cement was a problem on building sites exposed to weather and damp until the introduction of the new bag.
“Our Rain Barrier bag offers an unbeatable combination of water resistance in a paper bag, which is less costly and has higher filling speeds than the non-paper alternative,” Sullivan said.
Mondi head of sales region Asia Pacific sack kraft paper Gerry Gosen said the new water-resistant bags fill just as fast as traditional paper bags and can be filled on existing machinery.
“They are also made from a renewable natural material, which is part of Mondi’s EcoSolutions approach to provide the most sustainable solution for its customers,” Gosen said.
“We’re delighted to have helped make a paper bag solution available in Australia.”
